Parma Tavern:
A Best of Gwinnett Rustic Italian Table in Buford
Parma Tavern brings a 600-degree stone oven, fresh pastas, and house-ground burgers to Buford Drive near Mall of Georgia, about fifteen minutes from Apalachee Farms. It is the newest featured restaurant in the neighborhood's dining guide.
Lisa Harris
CLHMS, 19 Years in the Community · October 8, 2026
Parma Tavern calls itself a "neighborhood gathering place with a no-attitude atmosphere," and that is exactly what makes it easy to love. Tucked into Building B on Buford Drive near Mall of Georgia, just off I-85 and about fifteen minutes from the Apalachee Farms gate, it is the rare spot that does rustic Italian tavern food and a serious burger program under one roof, all at approachable prices.
The restaurant swept the 2025 Best of Gwinnett awards, winning in the Bars, Italian Restaurants, and Pizza Joints categories. For Apalachee Farms residents, that means a table worth the short drive for everything from a Friday night margherita to a slow Bolognese dinner, and the bar stays open until 1:00 AM for the nights that want to run longer.
Stone-oven pizza at Parma Tavern: blistered crust, bubbling cheese, no shortcuts.
The Menu: Stone Oven, Fresh Pasta, House-Ground Burgers
Parma Tavern's kitchen runs three lanes at once: wood-fired flavor from a 600-degree brick oven, fresh pasta made in house, and burgers ground on site. That mix is what gives the menu its personality, and it is why the same room works for a family pizza night and a date-night pasta dinner. Below are the dishes the kitchen is known for.
The Stone-Oven Star
Meatatarian Pizza
The pizza that put Parma on the Best of Gwinnett map: pepperoni and Italian sausage over a blistered, leopard-spotted crust from the 600-degree brick oven. Order it for the table and let the crust do the talking.
The Pasta Classic
Rigatoni Bolognese
Al dente rigatoni tossed in a slow-simmered beef ragù and finished with fresh parmesan. It is the kind of honest, comforting plate that makes Parma feel like a neighborhood institution in the making.
The Signature Build
Southern Pride Burger
A house-ground black angus patty stacked with bacon, candied jalapeños, and crispy onion straws, finished with ranch mayo and BBQ sauce. Featured on FOX 5 Atlanta's Burgers with Buck, it is a serious burger hiding inside an Italian tavern.
The Playful Favorite
Krispy Kreme Donut Burger
Parma's famous sweet-and-savory showstopper: a house-ground patty served on a glazed Krispy Kreme donut. It is the order people photograph first and quietly crave all week.
The Bar Companion
Pickleback Burger
A house-ground burger with pickles and a pickle-forward sauce, built for the bar menu and a natural match for the deep microbrew list. Casual, tangy, and easy to love.
The Full Table
Stone-Oven Pizzas & Fresh Pasta Specials
Beyond the signatures, the menu rotates through fresh pasta specials and an eclectic lineup of pizzas that keeps regulars coming back to try the next one. Vegetarian options are easy to find across the board.
Atmosphere & Vibe
Step into Parma Tavern and you land somewhere between a restored Italian neighborhood tavern and a polished gastropub. Exposed brick, reclaimed wood, and warm Edison bulb lighting set the mood, while the glowing stone oven adds a working centerpiece behind the bar. It feels crafted and comfortable at the same time, with no dress code and no pretense.
The energy shifts with the hour. Early evening it is families and pizza nights; later it becomes the neighborhood's late-night table, with a full bar, a deep pour of microbrews, TVs, and outdoor seating for the patio crowd. Reservations are accepted, and the no-attitude promise holds from host stand to last call.
Best for: Family dinners, date nights, burger loyalists, pizza purists, and Apalachee Farms residents who want a reliable table after 9:00 PM.
What Makes It Special
Best of Gwinnett 2025
Parma Tavern won the 2025 Best of Gwinnett awards in three categories: Bars, Italian Restaurants, and Pizza Joints. Community recognition with real receipts.
One Room, Three Kitchens
Stone-oven pizzas, fresh pastas, and house-ground burgers under a single roof, an eclectic mix most restaurants never attempt.
Open Late, Every Night
The kitchen and bar run until 1:00 AM Monday through Saturday and midnight on Sunday, one of the few late-night tables near the community with this much character.
Details
3350 Buford Dr NE, Building B, Suite 200, Buford, GA 30519
Near Mall of Georgia, just off I-85 · ~15 min from Apalachee Farms
Hours
Monday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 1:00 AM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Price Range
$$ (Moderate) · stone-oven pizzas, pastas, and burgers at approachable tavern pricing
Pro Tips
- Order the Meatatarian pizza. It is the Best of Gwinnett-winning crust from the 600-degree oven, and it travels well if you are grabbing takeout on the way home.
- Bring your phone for the donut burger. The Krispy Kreme burger is the most photographed plate on the menu, and for good reason.
- Treat it as the late-night table. When everything else has closed, Parma's bar is still pouring until 1:00 AM on weeknights.
- Book a reservation for prime hours. Reservations are accepted and weekend evenings fill up, especially with Best of Gwinnett buzz behind the kitchen.
While You're There
The Buford Drive corridor near Mall of Georgia is one of the most convenient retail and entertainment hubs in northeast Gwinnett. Dinner at Parma Tavern pairs easily with a movie across the street or an evening at the mall, and the drive back to Apalachee Farms is a short, easy run up the highway, no Atlanta traffic required.
For anyone weighing a move to Apalachee Farms, a restaurant like Parma Tavern is a reminder of how complete the surrounding lifestyle is: golf course living, strong schools, and genuinely character-filled tables within fifteen minutes of the gate.
Thinking about buying or selling in Apalachee Farms? Lisa Harris has 19 years of experience in the community and knows every section, every market trend, and every great local restaurant. From stone-oven pizza in Buford to the best listing strategy for your home, she has the local knowledge you need.